Section 396-H. Powers of the authority

The authority, by and through its
  board, shall have the following functions, powers and duties:
    1. To coordinate and assist in activities in the  county  relating  to
  drug control;
    2.  To  establish  in-patient and out-patient treatment facilities for
  persons addicted to the use of drugs and drug abusers.  Such  facilities
  shall include, but shall not be limited to:
    a. detoxification centers and clinics for the out-patient treatment of
  drug abusers and addicts;
    b.  a  treatment  center  where  drug  abusers  and addicts may obtain
  professional counseling from  physicians,  psychologists,  psychiatrists
  and where possible, former drug abusers and addicts;
    c.  half-way  houses  to provide continuing treatment for drug abusers
  and addicts.
    3. To create a referral program  whereby  drug  abusers,  addicts  and
  persons and agencies concerned with their treatment will make use of the
  aforementioned treatment facilities;
    4.  To  encourage  and,  when so requested, assist cooperative efforts
  among local narcotic guidance councils and state agencies in  developing
  solutions to the drug problem;
    5.  To  establish  one  or  more treatment districts within the county
  based on geography and population density;  and  to  employ  a  referral
  counselor in each treatment district;
    6.  To  encourage  and  foster,  if  possible,  the use of former drug
  abusers and persons formerly addicted to drugs as staff personnel;
    7. To assist narcotic guidance councils of a  city,  town  or  village
  within  the  county  in  the  development  of  preventative  educational
  programs;
    8. To act as agent for the county in accepting any public  or  private
  funds which may be made available to a county to control the problems of
  drug abuse;
    9.  To  make  a  continuing evaluation of the preventative educational
  techniques and pharmacological and psychiatric treatment procedures used
  in the county;
    10. To utilize former  drug  abusers  and  ex-addicts  in  educational
  counseling and make periodic evaluations of their effectiveness;
    11. To establish youth centers to provide individual and group therapy
  and develop constructive work habits;